[HPforGrownups] Re: Article

[Irene Mikhlin]

No: HPFGUIDX 41256

Darrin wrote:

> -- I read the Harry Potter books to GET AWAY from all the above crap,
> not to celebrate it.

And for the first time I can express my wholehearted agreement:
crap is certainly the best way to desribe it.

Even if we take the magical education as the analogy for some real life
issues, it still takes a lot of twisting and bending to make it appear
elitist.
I feel very strongly about the educational system here (and I suspect JKR
does too).
In that search after the elusive Holy Grail of "comprehensive ideal" many
good schools were accused of elitism and practically destroyed. So I find
the idea of "muggles = potential wizards who were denied their chance to
education" to be a part of that fanatical denial that equal opportunities
still will not bring equal abilities and equal results.

Those kids are born with magical abilities, and apparently the level of
abilities does not depend on any training they receive prior to Hogwarts.
Muggle-borns are just as likely to succeed as purebloods, and JKR
goes out of her way to show it, IMHO.
So she is subtle - Justin's place in Eton and Colin's milkman father are
mentioned in a way that does not feel forced. But for anyone familiar with
British society structure it gives the message "Magic knows no class
barriers"
clear and loud. Again, IMHO, she shows that magic has no gender barriers
either in many suble ways: Gryffindors are happy when Angelina has a chance
to become a champion and they have no reservation that a boy would stand a
better chance; Everyone is surprised about Madam Maxime size, not "How odd,
they have a Headmistress" etc.
I like it subtle and if JKR succumbs to the pressure and starts to wave that
feminist flag in more visible ways, I'll be sorry.

But sadly, Darrin is right - people with agenda will always find a way to
manipulate any book.

Irene